--Steve Benen notes: 10 of the top 13 are Republicans, as are six of the top seven.” http://goo.gl/YpVbEo

--WHAT JUMPED OUT AT US ABOUT THIS LIST: No administration figures. If anyone who works on Sunday shows has thoughts about this list, or additional data, drop us a line at mallen@politico.com, and we’ll share your insights.

SEE THE FENWAY PARK CAKE that Bloomberg’s Meridith Webster made for her son, Jackson Fauvre, who turned 9 yesterday. David Di Martino has the call: “Note: Bloomberg logo. Scoreboard shows final of 2013 Game 6. All retiree numbers and World Series banners are edible. Green Monster is seven inches of Rice Krispies, covered in fondant. Infield of praline toffee. Exterior walls made of Kit Kats.” http://goo.gl/KRVitd

A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL, on this “historic day”: “Today is the first day that coverage kicks in for more than 6 million people who purchased private health insurance plans through the Marketplaces, or signed up for coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. It also marks the day that many of the health care law’s key consumer protections and benefits kick in: starting today, no family will be denied coverage because of a preexisting condition like high blood pressure or asthma … And small businesses may qualify for more financial help to pay for new affordable coverage options for their employees. …

“[T]he administration has been working closely with insurers, hospitals, pharmacies … and reaching out directly to consumers to make sure they have the information they need as their coverage kicks in. But we also won't forget what the law means for millions of our fellow Americans like Trinace Edwards, whose story is featured in this new White House video.” http://youtu.be/w8SP2m_IRvw

--“For Obamacare, it’s finally showtime,” by POLITICO’s David Nather: “Starting today, all of the big pieces of the Affordable Care Act … go into effect. … Private health coverage starts for more than 2 million Americans who managed to get through that federal enrollment website or the state-run versions. People with pre-existing conditions can’t be turned down anymore. Subsidies will start to help low- and middle-income people pay for their insurance. … The expansion of Medicaid begins, and as many as another 3.9 million low-income Americans are in line to get that coverage. And yes, the individual mandate kicks in to require just about all Americans have some kind of health insurance or pay a fine.” http://goo.gl/Q8PXrC

--On a D.C. street yesterday, Fox News White House producer Kimberly Schwandt caught up with Secretary Sebelius, who answered “No” when asked if she expects more ACA delays. Asked her New Year's resolutions, she said: “Lots of people getting good healthcare in 2014.”

--“Doctors, hospitals expect some confusion as Obamacare plans start” -- Reuters: “The late deadlines mean that many enrollees who seek care initially may lack insurance cards or other proof of coverage. … White House health policy adviser Phil Schiliro said … that because of the intense focus on Obamacare, ‘problems that have never gotten attention before will get some attention now. … What we are stressing to folks is that if they get to a provider (and) there is some confusion, … call their insurer … If the insurer is not able to resolve it, they should call our toll-free number (800-318-2596) ... and operators will be there 24/7.’” http://goo.gl/52tFis

--FIRST LOOK: “YG Network — a non-profit 501(c)(4) dedicated to broadening the Young Guns movement by promoting next-generation conservative policies — … released ‘Aloha!,’ a web video highlighting the ways in which Obamacare is harming American families, as well as Obama's out-of-touch style of leadership. The ad comes as Obama continues his lengthy Hawaiian vacation … ‘Aloha!’ is posted at www.ObamacareWipeOut.com, and YG Network is delivering its message to Americans in Hawaii and the Washington, D.C. area with a significant five-figure online campaign, which includes YouTube pre-roll, promoted Tweets and Facebook posts, and display ads on highly-trafficked websites such as the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.”

TOP STORY – “‘Many great things’: De Blasio’s swearing-in,” by Capital New York’s Sally Goldenberg: “After taking a 40-second Oath of Office, … Bill de Blasio became New York City's 109th mayor outside his Park Slope row house at 12:02 a.m. … De Blasio is the first Democratic mayor of the deep-blue city since David Dinkins left office after losing his 1993 re-election to Republican Rudy Giuliani. The 52-year-old new mayor stood beside his wife, Chirlane McCray, and teenage children Chiara and Dante, at his official swearing-in ceremony in front of a lively crowd of supporters packed along his block of 11th Street, which he will soon depart for the grand corridors of his new residence, Gracie Mansion. …

“In the crowd were several well-known, longtime supporters of de Blasio, including former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean, actor Steve Buscemi and the U.S ambassador Mayor David Dinkins.” http://goo.gl/ROv6h4

--PULLING BACK THE CAMERA – N.Y. Times 1-col. lead, “DE BLASIO DRAWS ALL LIBERAL EYES TO NEW YORK CITY: LAB FOR POPULIST IDEAS -- A Tax-the-Rich Mayor Gives America’s Left a Rallying Point,” by Michael M. Grynbaum: “The elevation of an assertive, tax-the-rich liberal to the nation’s most prominent municipal office has fanned hopes that hot-button causes like universal prekindergarten and low-wage worker benefits … could be aided by the imprimatur of being proved workable in New York. … His administration could be a redemptive moment for a national left whose policies were often blamed for the crumbling of urban centers in the 1960s and 1970s, yet has now started to reassert itself … with bold new approaches on … income equality and poverty.” http://goo.gl/PZl6gy

--De Blasio “opens media access to swearing-in,” by AP:’s Jonathan Lemire: “De Blasio's team had … said there would be no media access to the ceremony at his Brooklyn home at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, with only video streamed live at NYC.gov and government-issued photos. After a request from The Associated Press, de Blasio said at a news conference that he was willing to work with the media to give them access. He said the original plan was meant to spare Park Slope neighbors from a media crush. … AP Senior Managing Editor Michael Oreskes noted that the online stream meant the event wouldn't be private at all.” http://goo.gl/tiRbrs

MOOD MUSIC: WashPost A1 graphic, “The year of unstoppable stocks” … L.A. Times A1, 2-col. lead, “On Wall St., 2013 will be hard to beat: The Dow notches a 27% gain, its best since 1995. Investors recoup the last of their losses from Great Recession” … L.A. Times Business front: “Stocks soar in ’13 as fear bubble pops: Investors put aside concerns, drive rally. Year is tougher for bonds, commodities.”

--“Wall St. ends best year since 1990s with moderate gains,” by Reuters’ Ryan Vlastelica: “The S&P 500 rose 29.6 percent over the year, its best annual performance since 1997, while the Dow climbed 26.5 percent in its best year since 1995. The Nasdaq jumped 38.3 percent, its best year since 2009. Both the Dow and the S&P 500 finished the final trading day of 2013 at record closing highs.” http://goo.gl/G0nVJu

--GOLD FALLS FROM FAVOR -- “Commodities Post First Drop in 5 Years as Corn to Gold Tumble,” by Bloomberg’s Nicholas Larkin: “Commodities posted the first annual drop in five years as supply exceeded demand for corn to sugar to nickel and investors lost faith in precious metals as a store of value amid signs that economies are improving. … Gold marked its first annual drop in 13 years with a 28 percent slide and silver slumped 36 percent.” http://goo.gl/ETzUTy

GET SMART FAST -- “Gallup.com's Top Stories of 2013: A review of the year's major findings, from politics to well-being,” by Gallup’s Art Swift in D.C.: “In the U.S., 69% remain unaffected by health law to date. … For the first time, Americans favor legalizing marijuana. … Same-sex marriage support solidifies above 50% in the U.S. … In the U.S., 52% of blacks are unhappy with societal treatment. … Coloradans least obese, West Virginians most for the third year. … Lincoln, Neb., bests all cities in well-being in 2012. … In the U.S., online education rated the best for value and options. … Republican favorability sinks to a record low.

“ … In the U.S., perceived need for a third party reaches a new high. … Weekly drop in U.S. economic confidence is the largest since 2008. … Americans disapprove of U.S. government surveillance programs. … Obama's weekly job score ties his lowest…. Since the end of the U.S. recession, more seniors report being in the workforce. … U.S. support for action in Syria is low vs. past conflicts.” http://goo.gl/Uc7y9S

GENEROUS ZUCK – Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Maria Di Mento: “The largest [2013 announced] donation came from Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. The couple … provided 18 million shares of Facebook stock, valued at more than $990-million, to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. … [The gift] sets a … record because it [is] the first time donors that young have made the [year’s] biggest contribution.” http://goo.gl/7z0kpE

MRS. BARBARA BUSH HOSPITALIZED: “HOUSTON -- Following is a statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the hospitalization of former First Lady Barbara Bush: ‘Former First Lady Barbara Bush was admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston's Texas Medical Center yesterday for treatment on a respiratory related issue. She is in great spirits, has already received visits from her husband and family, and is receiving fantastic care. Updates will be issued when warranted.’”

GED TEST CHANGES -- AP Education Writer Kimberly Hefling: “The revamped test [out tomorrow] is intended to be more rigorous and better aligned with the skills needed for college and today's workplaces. The new test will only be offered on a computer, and it will cost more. What consumers pay for the test varies widely and depends on state assistance and other factors. Even before its launch, officials in many states have balked at the cost increase and at doing away with paper-and-pencil testing. At least nine states … severed ties with the GED test and adopted one of the two new tests that are entering the market.” http://goo.gl/9Z3c0I

BIRTHDAYS TOMORROW: Annie Lewis, who manages conservative ad sales at Facebook's D.C. office (hat tip: brother-in-law Dave) … Jessica "JC" Cameron, who works for the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security and is a huge UCLA fan (h/t Lara Rosner, who has been reading Playbook since high school).

****** A message from UnitedHealth Group: What does it take to create a modern, high-performing, simpler health care system? Expanding access to care through proven state-based coverage and employer-sponsored insurance. Making health care more affordable with consumer-directed care and value-based payments. Supporting and modernizing Medicare to meet the complex health challenges of America’s seniors. And reinvesting in health to support research and innovation. Learn more about these ideas at http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com ******

Authors:

About The Author

Mike Allen is the chief White House correspondent for POLITICO. He comes to us from Time magazine where he was their White House correspondent. Prior to that, Allen spent six years at The Washington Post, where he covered President Bush's first term, Capitol Hill, campaign finance, and the Bush, Gore and Bradley campaigns of 2000. Before turning to national politics, he covered schools and local governments in rural counties outside Fredericksburg, Va., for The Free Lance-Star, then wrote about Doug Wilder, Oliver North, Chuck Robb and the Bobbitts for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where he nurtured police sources on overnight ride-alongs through housing projects. Allen also covered Mayor Giuliani, the Connecticut statehouse and the wacky rich of Greenwich for The New York Times. Before moving to The Times, he did stints in the Richmond and Alexandria bureaus of The Washington Post. Allen grew up in Orange County, Calif., and has a B.A. from Washington and Lee University, where he majored in politics and journalism.